When polarizing Oklahoma defensive back Brendan “Bookie” Radley-Hiles announces that he was entering the transfer portal back on Feb. 2, it was met with the same reception a lot of his Sooners career was: mixed.
Some fans couldn’t wait to see him go, others felt it was a big piece they were losing for the future. It is hard to find guys that can go quite so far on the spectrum on either side as Radley-Hiles, with the book closing on his Oklahoma career with a legacy unlike many other. Head coach Lincoln Riley has spoken extremely highly of him on numerous occasions, as did his teammates, but the national narrative around him and the fan reaction he often drew couldn’t have been much more the opposite.
Despite entering the portal, Riley made it clear that he was still lobbying for him to potentially return to Norman for the 2021 season. While that never seemed even remotely likely, the fact we neared spring ball without him having a new home started to make some ponder. Well, they can ponder no more as Radley-Hiles announced late Tuesday night that he would be headed to join the Washington Huskies.
Same Book, New Chapter..
– .44 pic.twitter.com/NNSb9tO8BZ— B. Radley (@Bookie_44) March 17, 2021
This seems like a pretty solid landing spot for Bookie and a place where he could potentially thrive. While many fans will point to his unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, which is clearly valid, his production on the field is inarguable.
In 35 career games, he amounted 115 career tackles with nine coming of those coming for loss. He often graded out well and was liked and defended by his teammates throughout his career. But, he never seemed to quite live up to the lofty expectations that were put upon him as a highly-touted recruit in the 2018 class.
Now we can officially put a bow on one of the more interesting Oklahoma careers in recent memory, as he finally has his new home. His debut with the Huskies is set for Sep. 4 at home against Montana.